PM tells BN to 'shoot' opposition leaders, not own foot

 

Ahead of the general election, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has urged BN to train their "guns" on the opposition instead of engaging in friendly fire.

He also quipped that Wanita BN would play a key role in determining when he would dissolve Parliament.

Speaking at the Wanita BN national convention today, Ismail Sabri said he sometimes felt confused by statements made by a small segment of BN leaders.

"It's like shooting yourself in the foot. This is what will cause us to fall (in the general election).

"We feel like heroes shooting our friends when we don't even touch opposition leaders.

"Starting today, we must 'shoot' opposition leaders, not our own leaders," he added.

Ismail Sabri did not identify the leaders who engaged in the friendly fire.

However, he has repeatedly said that BN was often under attack by its own people, especially regarding the cost of living.

Ismail Sabri and his supporters are believed to be at odds with BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

One of the issues in contention is when to hold the election - with Zahid's faction pushing for it to be held as soon as possible.

Gathering intelligence

Ismail Sabri said he did not know when the next election will be held but his decision on when to dissolve Parliament would hinge on intelligence gathered by Wanita BN.

"I will dissolve Parliament when reports from Wanita BN show that we can win," he added.

This is as Wanita BN is at the front line of intelligence gathering for the coalition, he said, but warned that reports must be factual.

The premier cited reports that BN received during the 2018 polls indicating major victory, which turned out to be false.

One challenge Wanita BN must figure out how to overcome, he said, was how to engage urban voters who live in more closely guarded neighbourhoods - where tactics such as house visits are not possible.

Wanita BN must also engage with the youth to determine where new voters lean politically, he added.

Previously, sources in the Prime Minister's Office indicated that polls would be held in November unless there were major floods on the peninsula's east coast. - Mkini